NY Mets discussion

[the 'stache]

Mets have a young catcher named Travis D'Arnaud that I am very high on. You guys know about him, but I don't think he's become well known across the Majors yet. He's about to. The guy can flat hit. .296 with 11 HR and 38 RBI in under 190 ABs. I don't need to tell you guys how hot that would be across a whole season. That's really sexy production from the catcher position.

I think you guys are a team very much on the rise. I see a World Series appearance within the next two years. If your rotation can stay healthy, a 5 man of Harvey, Syndergaard, Matz, DeGrom and Wheeler...../shudder. No thank you. I wouldn't want to face them.

Seeing as how this is a baseball card forum, I thought I'd share a couple of my Mets rookie autos. I apologize, these are old pictures. I need to re-scan them with better color settings, and without the one touches.



And one more Wheeler. I hope this guy rebounds from TJ. I am so high on this young man.



Most teams are happy to have one staff ace if they can get them. The Mets truly have a five man rotation where any of them could be a staff ace-type pitcher. Harvey already is. The rest are headed that way. With Cespedes now a Met, it's frightening how good your team could be. The 80s are back in New York.

[freakhappy]

I'm happy the Mets are where they are at right now...and I'd love to see them do some damage in the playoffs. Pitching wins and they definitely have it. There is a reason the Giants have won a few WS recently. They are very gritty on offense and their pitching gets the job done...the Mets share this trait.

Fantasy baseball has really given me an opportunity to pay attention to players and teams I otherwise wouldn't have as much interest in. I've had Granderson and D'arnaud on my team for over half the year and they have been awesome. I'm really impressed with what Granderson's been able to do. He walks like a madman and he's productive across the board...runs, hrs, doubles, a few sb, just very productive. What he's been able to do this year is that much more impressive because he seemed to be on a decline in recent years. His power didn't seem to fade, but he wasn't productive enough to be that relevant.

Congrats to all the Met's fans and I truly do hope they make some noise in the playoffs!

Shaun...great pictures and what an awesome experience for you and your son! Thanks for sharing

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by freakhappy

I'm really impressed with what Granderson's been able to do. He walks like a madman and he's productive across the board...runs, hrs, doubles, a few sb, just very productive.

He's had a nice bounce back year, and I certainly like him as a person. I had him on my team for a while, too. But I wouldn't say he "walks like a madman." He draws a fair share, but Joey Votto "walks like a madman." Granderson's career high in walks in a season is 85. He'll break that this year, as he's at 83. That's a good clip. But...

Joey Votto has walked 127 times this year. He walked 135 times in 2013, 94 in 2012, and 110 in 2011. All led the league. He walked 47 times in an injury-shortened 2014 where he only played 62 games. At that pace, he'd have walked 122 times.

That is walking like a madman. Barry Bonds walked like a mad man. Ted Williams walked like a madman. Granderson walks like a slightly-deranged man.

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

He's had a nice bounce back year, and I certainly like him as a person. I had him on my team for a while, too. But I wouldn't say he "walks like a madman." He draws a fair share, but Joey Votto "walks like a madman." Granderson's career high in walks in a season is 85. He'll break that this year, as he's at 83. That's a good clip. But...



Joey Votto has walked 127 times this year. He walked 135 times in 2013, 94 in 2012, and 110 in 2011. All led the league. He walked 47 times in an injury-shortened 2014 where he only played 62 games. At that pace, he'd have walked 122 times.



That is walking like a madman. Barry Bonds walked like a mad man. Ted Williams walked like a madman. Granderson walks like a slightly-deranged man.

You're right...votto is a walk machine, but granderson is second in walks in the majors in the last 30 days. Just loving what he's doing. The Mets are one of the teams I'm rooting hard for to make it to the WS.

[CharleyBrown]

Mike, thanks!

Granderson has been quietly getting it done this year. I think he finally recognized the need to make a change in his hitting game, as he no longer had the short porch like he did with the Yanks. His #s are starting to look more like they were when he was with the Tigers. More walks, more doubles, more runs. He sees a ridiculous # of pitches each game - that alone makes a big impact. As I said earlier, too, is that he's a great clubhouse and community guy. When you have a genuinely positive player in the locker room - that's infectious - and it impacts performance on the field.

He still has some room to go - I'd like to see him hitting in the .280 range, and I'd like to see him perform better against lefties - but he's making great strides.

Here's hoping for another win tonight!